He was still under-age at the time of his father's death, and his mother acted as regent for him from 1170 to 1173. Since some of his ancestors had been Counts of Verdun, Agnes of Champagne reclaimed the county of Verdun from its bishop in 1172, but he resisted. She responded by laying waste the diocese of Verdun. Both mother and son were excommunicated and forced to submit in 1177.

In 1178, the Bishop of Toul began to construct a fortress at Liverdun, with the authorisation of the Duke of Upper Lorraine, Simon II. Overwhelmed by the size of the task, he entrusted it to Henry, who made use of it. This did not compromise his good relations with the Duke, although the latter could have felt threatened by the fortresses of Liverdun, Amance and Mousson.